John Lannan tries to pitch the Nationals to a rare win at Citizens Bank Park.

PHILADELPHIA — What is it about the Philadelphia Phillies that brings out the worst in the Nationals? Well, there's the obvious answer: The Phillies have been a really good team for the better part of the last six years. But there also seems to be something about this opponent, and especially this ballpark, that continues to haunt the Nationals.

Yes, they posted a winning record at Citizens Bank Park last season, thanks entirely to a four-game September sweep after Philadelphia had already clinched the NL East. Over the last six seasons combined, though, the Nats are 16-33 here, 36-67 overall against the Phillies. They've lost four straight here entering tonight's game.

Which puts the pressure squarely on John Lannan's shoulders. The problem: Lannan is 1-5 with a 7.06 ERA in seven career starts in this ballpark, the lone victory coming last year. He'll need to overcome that demon if he's going to help his team get back on track tonight.

Lannan won't have one regular behind him in the field. Danny Espinosa is not in the Nationals lineup, replaced by Steve Lombardozzi. We'll have to find out whether this is related to his lingering shoulder injury or something else.

I'd say Lannan was great tonight. Not really fair to say he didn't make it out of the 6th. Davey hooked him for the matchup. And he certainly isn't responsible for that second run. Credit where credit is due.

Mick — I had my doubts too — Lannan was only at 77 pitches and was in control except for the 4th, which he escaped with only a run — but shouldn't be doubting Davey by now. I doubt Lombo would have been able to make that turn and throw to get the DP in time.

If I knew how to post it, I would post a link from yesterrday's Wall Street Journal. They did a study of what announcing teams were most in the tank for the home team. White Sox ranked first. We ranked ninth the NY teams were at the bottom…too. Ich risk of offending people, apparently, I like that these busy root for our guys. I think it helps grow fans, becaue it makes them speak about little things they notice in our guys. In other news, our failure to make hay when we get to the bullpen is just odd. I get the September call up thing but still.

Agreed, Eddie, Lombo very doubtful to make that turn and throw. I agree with sec222 about Lannan having a great start. I mean really, he's had what, 4 starts this year, and holds the Phillies to 2 runs?

BTW.. I take back all the horrible nasty curses I said at John during the Dodgers start (the folks in the 200's heard them). That was quite a start for John, since Zuk brain farted the first run, and that 2nd run shouldn't have scored either.

Sec 222Calling that "great" is the soft bigotry of low expectations (to quote a former major league managing partner/fan boy). Lannan put men on base in 4 of 6 innings. Yes, the defense let him down a few times, but that's the risk you take when you're a pitcher who can't notch many Ks and have to rely more heavily on the defense behind you. If he wasn't starting to walk the tightrope again in the 6th (with that lead-off walk), Davey might have left him in.So, not great, but good–certainly good enough for what the Nats needed.

Exposremains said…Marlins utterly useless.imagine all the stories that will come out once the season is over, you talk about a blood letting in Miami, it will be like the night Michael gave the order to whack Johnny Olu and Hyman Roth, lol

I think I may have been on vacation that week JoeS, but I feel your pain. Let me be clear — I don't object to homerism. Virtually all team employed TV and radio announcers are homers. Just don't insult my intelligence by making it sound like our players can do no wrong. To listen to Carp and FP, every routine play by Zim is a webgem, every double play turned by Espi couldn't be made by any other second baseman. And ALR as MVP? He might not even be the MVP of this team (I'd give that honor to Desi.)

Our 3 4 5 have not nbeen good enough.Also ump forces one right over the middle.Also ee were in position to blow ame wide ipen. Up 5-0 Men on first and secon mo outs. And Ian needed just a hit but instead all the positive mo dies with a double play.

Before everyone gets all excited and thinks Clip has been demoted, this is exactly the kind of matchup move that Davey said he'd do — Clip's changeup is effective against lefties and Utley and Howard are up this inning.

Almost a 30 pitch inning! If his arm is worn out, that is why. Unfortunately, he let so many guys bat that we have to go through some of their core guys again.Well, either Storen gets it done or he doesn't. If Storen can't be like last yet, this isn't happening anyway.

No doubt, Kimbrel is the best pitcher I've seen all year…They reported some of his Stats on MLB radio today..He's doing things NOBODY has ever done…almost 17 K's per 9! Hasn't given up 2 hits in 1 inning all year!

Werth did the same thing earlier when he caught the final out in an inning in RF. He faked like he was going to throw it to the OF stands, smiled at them, and then ran in with the ball. In your face,philth!

Werth is great! Talk about poking the hornet's nest! And while he's batting, you can hear some Philly fan in the background, behind home plate screaming, "You can't do THAT to a kid." Jeez it sounded like a Lenny Bruce Fr. Flotsky routine. I think Werth has a little of the younger Clint Eastwood in him. How sweet to see him rip that single and then score on Bryce's triple. Nervous as we are, no one wants to run into the Nats in the post season.

Phillies radio announcers on 1210 AM saying "big deal, if a team is as bad as the Nats for 7 years straight, and they get the first pick every year, they should have some talent"–sour grapes, anyone? The Phillies are one of the worst franchises of all time, so maybe it is sour grapes and a pot call at the same time….